Mystery by the Sea by David Sal Read Free Book Online Page B

The miniscule portion prepared with a couple of medium-sized
shrimp and some sort of mashed side dish was very attractively adorned and
presented but did not match his appetite.
    “What is this? An appetizer?” asked
Lorenzo in disbelief.
    “This is the special that you
ordered,” the waiter answered nicely. “You ordered the $30 special, didn’t
you?”
    Lorenzo felt like his jaw was going
to hit the table. Irma could only smile at seeing Lorenzo’s expression.
    “Yes, yes, of course. I just
expected a little more. That’s all. Thank you,” replied Lorenzo, trying to
maintain his composure and manners. The waiter retired to the kitchen after
refilling their glasses with water. Lorenzo tried the dish and his eyes opened
wide in surprise. It tasted better than it looked. After taking a drink, he
resumed their conversation.
    “Now, please explain to me
something that I don’t understand. The meeting at Pedroza’s house the night of
the incident was after Doris was fired, right? So, then, why was she there?”
asked Lorenzo.
    Irma swallowed the bite in her
mouth, took another drink of water and passed the napkin across her lips.
    “Imagine our surprise when Doris
showed up that night. We were all left feeling like, what’s going on here? It was really uncomfortable. She was noticeably… unstable… anxious. What most
attracted our attention at that moment was that she was holding the Distinguished
Executive trophy that she’d won only a few months ago. I think you were there that
night at the club.” Irma paused, picked up a napkin, and wiped her hands.
“Apparently, Pedroza didn’t want to create a scene in front of everyone, so he
invited her into his study so they could talk in private. A few minutes after
they went into the office, I couldn’t tell you how many minutes, maybe five,
Doris ran out crying and left the house. We wondered, what could he have
said to her to make her leave like that? After a few minutes, Jessica told
us she had to go. So, she went to Pedroza’s office to say goodbye. That’s when
she called us over and we saw him, sprawled on the floor next to a pool of
blood,” Irma stated in a quivering voice.
    “You’re saying that Jessica went to
say goodbye and she was the one who found the body? Or, in other words, she was
not with you all for a moment?” Lorenzo asked, opening his eyes with interest.
    “Yes, but it was very quick, I
don’t think that…” said Irma, trying to put Lorenzo’s unfounded suspicion to
rest.
    “No, no, of course not, but you
have to look at everything,” clarified Lorenzo.
    Irma remained silent and took a
drink of water. The memories were still very fresh in her mind. She thought she
could be strong enough to talk about the matter calmly, but her body and mind
automatically reacted in accordance with the impact of the experience. She felt
a strong impulse to cry. Her eyes turned red and her nose got stuffy.
    “Sorry, but it hasn’t been easy,” she
apologized, taking a Kleenex from her purse. “In spite of his faults, Pedroza
always treated me well. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the
trust he had in me and the opportunities he gave me. And to die like that, so
violently and so close to us… besides, like I said, I thought highly of Doris
and that’s why I agreed to tell you what happened. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy
for you, either.”
    “And I really appreciate it. You’re
being a great help,” he assured.
    “Whatever you need, I’m at your
service,” she paused, “but I suggest that you be realistic with your
expectations. I really don’t see anything else to talk about. Sometimes we have
to accept the unacceptable in order to move forward,” she finished.
    Lorenzo did not answer. He had
wanted to know more and that is what he had gotten. But the details that Irma
gave did little more than extinguish what little hope he had of discovering
something that could help Doris. Now he had to speak with Jessica